how to break in to a different job field?

[JanF]

I hate my current job (office almost executive assistant) and would like to get into the travel field or EA job that works from home. Problem is that even though the majority of my current work is travel related, it's not enough experience to get a job as a travel agent as most of them require some sort of GDS training (plus I'm in the cycle of too poor to travel therefore not enough travel experience to be taken seriously). Is there anything I can do? Is there a way to beef up my resume to make people interested?

PS. I'm only applying to work from home/virtual posts because I plan on moving sometime next year and I want the flexibility that work from home jobs give (thinking in the future where babies come in picture)

[Dave1442397]

My SIL works for a travel company, and they can't find anyone who'll stick around and take care of the office for them. I would say forget about trying to emphasize the travel part of your resume and concentrate on your office management skills. A lot of companies would kill for someone who can write a decent client letter, take care of billing, payroll, etc.

They outsourced payroll a few times to people who turned out to be utter flakes and caused problems with the IRS.

You may want to contact smaller companies with minimal employees. Get a few outsourced contracts and you could do as much or as little as you like.

I have a friend who got laid off from our company, and he has cut his hours down to 15-20 a week, doing the books for a local charity and another small company that didn't need a full time employee.

[okits]

Can you self-study or take a vocational program to learn a GDS? 

Breaking into a new field, I expect it's common to work in an office, initially, to build skills and experience before being granted WFH opportunities (unless everyone in that role works from home, like some phone-based jobs).  If you're really eager to make the switch, be open to working on site for a year or two (you're not moving to Portland immediately, nor having a baby immediately, so you have time to work your way into a flexible position).

[JanF]

Can you self-study or take a vocational program to learn a GDS? 

Breaking into a new field, I expect it's common to work in an office, initially, to build skills and experience before being granted WFH opportunities (unless everyone in that role works from home, like some phone-based jobs).  If you're really eager to make the switch, be open to working on site for a year or two (you're not moving to Portland immediately, nor having a baby immediately, so you have time to work your way into a flexible position).

I'm looking into those programs and trying to decide if it's one of those situation where the employers value experience over certification (and seems like some employers like AAA and AMEX will train and certify you). IATA cert looks like it's $400 so I might end up doing that.

While I am willing to start at an office I kind of feel bad for anyone who hires me because I won't be here long term. My current job offers the advantage that I can work remotely part time doing travel so that when we move, my husband will have a full time job and I will have something part time while looking for something full time up there (there's no option to do full time remotely right now). And there is also the issues of my health insurance, we have it through my current employer.